Group riding - videos and comments

[Scooterza]

I have seen quite a bit of debate about group riding, wheelsuckers etc and people get quite uptight about this whole thing.

 

As someone who is "self-taught" on many of these things, I thought I would do a bit of research on how to ride in groups, because as I see it, if you are in a group, the leader must pull over when he/she gets tired. But there seem to be some that think if you are in a group, you must "take" the lead - ie overtake and sit at the front every so often. Otherwise you are a wheelsucker !!

 

This is how I have always understood it should work. Let's say you are in a bunch and are leading the group. You start to feel tired so you pull over out of the paceline and let the next person take the lead right? If you do this, unless the person behind you actually FOLLOWS your wheel, those behind you are forced to take a bit of time at the front? Surely this way you deal with wheelsuckers and everyone (or just about) in the group has a chance to take the front?

 

It seems to me that some people seem to feel that if they are at the front and just ride and ride (and don't pull over) then those behind them are classified "wheelsuckers" which is nonsense as far as I am concerned. If the guy at the front is tired, MOVE OVER! If you don't move over, then you are:

• not tired
  
• superhuman
  
• unaware of how pacelines work.
  

 

Please feel free to correct me - if I am mistaken in this I am happy to be educated.

 

I found a few useful videos online that may be of benefit on this topic:

 

Slip Streaming:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_669562&feature=iv&index=9&list=UUlHHw5oDO4I-GfWmWNHC5gw&src_vid=O8vJsRrhM1c&v=AKQ9USiKcDE

 

 

Rolling Turns/pacelines:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_964056&feature=iv&index=1&list=UUlHHw5oDO4I-GfWmWNHC5gw&src_vid=O8vJsRrhM1c&v=t-3Gfh_Qsrc

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S129pCsN-YU&feature=related

 

Pros doing a classic paceline:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqZCrqV_wE&feature=related

 

Then just for laughs and those that take themselves a little too seriously

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJAsUHsmJAo&feature=player_detailpage

Edited September 20, 2012 by Scooterza

[Richard 1973]

I have seen quite a bit of debate about group riding, wheelsuckers etc and people get quite uptight about this whole thing.

 

As someone who is "self-taught" on many of these things, I thought I would do a bit of research on how to ride in groups, because as I see it, if you are in a group, the leader must pull over when he/she gets tired. But there seem to be some that think if you are in a group, you must "take" the lead - ie overtake and sit at the front every so often. Otherwise you are a wheelsucker !!

 

 

Sounds good to me. I have to agree with you.

Edited September 19, 2012 by Richard 1973